It is amazing to see the park transform sometimes overnight. This flower bed last week didn’t have the topiaries and now it looks like they have been there forever. This year Chip ‘n Dale make their appearance as topiaries. No surprise, but for the first time in forever Anna and Elsa from “Frozen” are recreated as topiaries.

This blog will be about the flowers throughout Future World and World Showcase. I enjoy the Outdoor Kitchens but today it was all about the flower displays for me. I think I have been attending this event for more than 15 years. I like some of the changes but I still find myself longing for some of the earlier years when they had more flower and garden displays.

One of my favorite years was 2006.

I really liked the whimsy of the statues with the flowers. It also seems that every year there are fewer gardens. Maybe that is what you need to do when you are trying to appeal to a wider audience. I do like that they have added all the outdoor kitchens. There are 12 Outdoor Kitchens this year with a wide assortment of food and drinks.

Be sure to pick up a Garden Passport from a Cast Member along with a park map and times guide. You might want to bring along a pen so you can mark off all the locations you have visited. If you present your passport at the garden destinations and Outdoor Kitchens they will stamp your book. When you get them all stamped you can get a stamp of completion at the merchandise locations.

Be sure to bring your camera and lots of space on a memory card because you will want to take a lot of pictures. You can pose in front of the topiaries or get some ideas for your garden back home. Don’t forget to wear your sunscreen also. It was 87 degrees and sunny today and you can get burned quickly. Also this is a good time to mention that you should be drinking lots of water while you are touring the park.

I walked about 5 miles while taking pictures of the displays and enjoying Epcot. You might want to break it up and view Future World one day and World Showcase the next.

I had never really thought about an emotion garden before. I know that I enjoy gardening to relieve stress but never thought about the colors I was planting.

They have moved the topiaries around this year so be sure to check the park map for their locations.

Oops, did I take a picture of someone using an iPad?

Ok, now it is time for a little garden trivia. Do you want what the process is called that they do to the trees in Epcot? Once you know the answer you can impress your friends as you are strolling around World Showcase.

There are several playgrounds for the kids to enjoy.

If you bend down and aim your camera up you can create the illusion that Snow White has the fire tower on her head. See the difference in the picture below? Try taking your photos from different angles.

Did you know they sell Moonshine in Epcot? I didn’t but I might have to try one strictly for research purposes.

There is so much to see and enjoy during the International Flower and Garden Festival. A little research before you visit would be helpful in maximizing your enjoyment of this event. Don’t forget to allow time for the Garden Rocks Concert Series! I will be going back again tomorrow to enjoy it all over again. ‘Till next time, See you in the parks!

Kathy Werling discovered Walt Disney World later than most people but has made up for it. Living close to the theme parks hasn't gotten old yet for her. Kathy is an accomplished photographer and is always out finding new and different things to photograph in the Orlando theme parks. Kathy is also part of the Orlando DIS Unplugged Podcast team.